“Not saying that. And don’t ever tell my three sisters that you thought I meant that either.” Hewinked.
My heartfluttered.
“Then why were you shocked?” At least this time I managed to speak without a high pitch to my voice. Perhaps I could maintain my dignity in front of Mr. High School Crush afterall.
“That a brilliant, talented, sweet, intelligent college scholar who lived for books could outrun the police. I mean, that took some real courage and skill. Avery and Dylan were lucky you helped them escape from the sheriff that night. If not, they wouldn’t be marriedtoday.”
Heat surged to my neck, and I worried I was turning brighter red than the raspberries on the plate. “You weren’t so bad yourself, leading them in the wrong direction. Not that I was surprised by the All-American Man of Magnolia Corners saving theday.”
He glanced at his construction-dust-covered work boots. “I haven’t been called that in years. Not since I stopped playing football.” He took another large bite of pastry and closed his eyes. “Wow, your sister really does have a gift. For all your intelligence, she equals you in bakingtalent.”
I wanted to ask why he stopped playing football—he’d had a full ride at Auburn—but the way he changed the subject quick told me it was unwantedterritory.
The door jingled. The sounds of Ashton, Avery, and Sadie filled theroom.
Kevin licked his finger free of a dollop of cream. “You Dixon sisters sure are somethingelse.”
Ashton patted Kevin on the shoulder. “You got thatright.”
Before I knew it, I was sandwiched between sisters and then pulled into a ring-around-the-rosyspin.
“I can’t believe we’ll all be together for Christmas,” Sadiesquealed.
Kevin returned to his gorging on baked goods. How could he keep a body like an athlete when he ate like a Sumo wrestler? Edward would never put that kind of stuff in his body, and he ran daily. He was more lean than muscular, though. A man of astounding intellect, discipline, poetic conversation, and sophistication that matched the king ofmanners.
“Thanks for picking Avery up. We didn’t want to miss Zoey’s arrival, and I couldn’t leave the bakery with the short staff during the season. Plus, Sadie was hoping to meet…um, I mean…” Ashton returned to Sadie’s speck on her apron. This time he tried to flick it off, but the baked-in chocolate on her shoulder strap didn’tmove.
Sadie jumped to Ashton’s fumbling rescue, again. “Yes, thank you,Kevin.”
The silence constituted a reply, so I picked up my fork as if to dive into the food again, despite my now swirling stomach. “You’ll meet him a few days before Christmas. Edward only needed to stay behind because he’s up for a big promotion,” I said in my most pridefultone.
Kevin’s smile faded like a sun behind a dark cloud. He cleared his throat. “I’m surprised any boyfriend would neglect you during theholidays.”
I dropped my fork with a loud clank. “Neglect? You don’t know what you’re talkingabout.”
“I didn’t mean it harshly.” Kevin sighed and set his fork down. “I’m just saying that you deserve someone who gives you the attention youdeserve.”
“Edward is an extremely important person with a lot ofresponsibilities.”
Kevin leaned back, stretching his leg out so his foot nearly touched mine. “Let me guess… He’s a college professor too busy to be bothered with us small-townfolk.”
“Avery!” Isnipped.
She flung her hands up. “I didn’t tellhim.”
“Please, I may not be a college professor, but anyone couldguess.”
I leaned across the table, boldly locking eye contact with Kevin. “Why? Because I was a nerdy bookworm who had to tutor the high school football player for him to pass half hisclasses?”
Kevin stood to his over six-foot three-inch frame. He looked down at me as if he stared through skin and bone straight to my soul. “Because you always had your eyes in a book and never noticed what was around you. Not even boys who tried to get yourattention.”
I didn’t know if it was the way he said it or how close he stood to me, but my insides swished and swam like I fell 20,000 leagues under the sea and a giant squid wrapped around mymiddle.
